LOTTE CHAMPIONSHIP

April 16, 2021

Xiyu Lin

Kapolei Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, Janet, you really took advantage of moving day today. Let's start off talking about the first three birdies of the round. Got off to that hot start with three birdies. What was going so right there?

XIYU LIN: Well, I mean, if you look at the score I had yesterday I had one bogey and one birdie. I mean, on this course, it wasn't very pleasant.

So I was a little mad at myself yesterday, but I felt I had the chance to play the weekend. That's the first step.

And then it's moving day. We start off early with not much breeze. It's moving day and you got to move to somewhere. Might as well move up.

I think we change or strategy a little bit being a little more aggressive, and I think it definitely works really well, especially I'm hitting the ball a lot better -- I mean, I been hitting the ball good, it's just my mind wasn't quite ready.

Of course, it's nice to start off three birdies in a row. I just telling myself like, Keep pedaling. This is the course like everyone can shoot a low score.

Q. Was that the mindset, just nothing to lose and take advantage of the less windy conditions?

XIYU LIN: Yeah, because Dave and I been working for couple tournaments and we start to have a little more ideas with the game and how we talk on the golf course.

Obviously because -- I mean, we been playing some tough courses, so I just feel like I been a little bit more on the cautious side. Like when I'm seeing the pin and like -- he really remind me like I should be confidence with my game, to really go for the pin.

So I think that's a really different mindset I put in and I didn't realize it will work that well.

Q. Did you start counting the birdies as you made them this entire round or when did the momentum really kick in for you?

XIYU LIN: Well, and it's funny, like yesterday during the talk I was complaining. I said, Dave, I never really have a low round. He said what's the lowest you play on tour? I said, 7-under. And he said -- yeah, so...

But be honest, I kind of miss count on the last hole. I thought I was at 7 so I was like, I need to make this birdie to break the record. I leave it a little bit short so I was like not so sure, but then I looked at my scorecard and I was like, Oh, I just had an 8-under round.

It's kind of amazing, like we just had a talk and just little change on the mind.

Q. What else have you been working on to get you to this point in your game?

XIYU LIN: I mean, this year, I always think this year -- like I'm hoping it's a breakthrough year for me. Like last year I choose to stay in the States so I had lots of time to work on my game with the coaches.

Last year I really tried to sharpen my short game. This year it's the same thing, I think, approach shots and putting.

So I been having some good result, but I think, you know, definitely on the right direction but definitely have a lot more to be looking forward to.

Q. How much do you think staying in the States last year and competing on tour even with the COVID schedule really helped your game now starting 2021?

XIYU LIN: Well, I mean, it was a tough decision because -- but at that time I clearly knows if I go back to China in May, July, whenever, I will probably not be able to come back to the states till this year.

Like my parents really want me to go back because I'm by myself here, but then I just think, I'm a golfer and this is the career, and if I have the chance I should take the chance.

So I decided to stay, and it was a bit tough, but also having that much time like make me think a lot, you know, some really big things, like big thinkings.

And then change a little bit even the lifestyle. Like I been by myself so I start to manage my daily life even better because just nobody is really -- I mean, there is friend, but you can't really even get to them. Yeah, I feel like COVID sucks, but it did bring some good changes on me.

Q. I think that's great. Kind of gave you a new perspective as you entered this season.

XIYU LIN: Yeah. And, I mean, I feel like because this is my eighth year on tour, so last year I really have time to realize I'm kind of like a veteran on tour, so I could expect little more from myself.

Because I been able to stay on this our tour for that long, why can't I be even better? Yeah, just really lots of time that allow me to think of lots of things and clear my mind, talk to Tony, the coaches, and then, yeah, make the changes.

Q. At the ANA Inspiration two weeks ago, Shanshan was back on tour for the first time. What was it like seeing Shanshan back at the ANA Inspiration?

XIYU LIN: Well first it's like, Oh, my God, I haven't seen her for so long. Second it's like she look better. Like she lost lots of weight and definitely looks way better.

And, I mean, and seeing the result she's having, just showing you how important the mindset for this game. Because you know she's not the person that over-practice and she can still manage. Like she complains on me on the Tuesday, I'm hitting so short on this tour now. I'm like, Yeah, whatever. And look at her, finish Top 5 or whatever.

I'm like, Yeah, exactly. So she's definitely always been my role model, and especially how she thinks and how she see things is always giving me new angles.

So, I mean, I know she's not going to do too bad, but still amazing seeing how good she can do.

Q. So tomorrow, final day here in Hawaii. Right now, two hours before the leaders tee off. You've really put yourself up there and taken advantage of this day. What's the mindset going into tomorrow?

XIYU LIN: Stay the same as today. I mean, just like beginning of the round today I'm like I thought I'm going to miss the cut but I made the cut, so just keep it going.

I think being aggressive is definitely one of the key we found today. So no matter what, like sometimes it can cause not -- you know, a little bit trouble.

But like today when my game is perfect, it's perfect, but even I have trouble I'm still ready to face it. This course you just have to force yourself to go for every pin.